8 comments:

I identify myself as a Christian. It is my way of relating to God, the way I was brought up to. I do not pretend it is THE way to relate to God. What business is it of mine to tell others how they should receive God's message? And given that we are all human (imperfect and trapped withing 4 dimensions) how can we even conceive of an infinite entity, let alone claim to have the correct misunderstanding (oops, I mean understanding)?

But I am still comfortable as a Christian. Life is not meant to be easily understood.

Hi, Mystic Dave, seems like you are describing 2 themes here common to any spiritual seeker: one, lack of identification with the current culture and two, noticing that for some "spirituality" is still defined on the safe mental level and has yet to reach the deepest heart level. A lot of people in all religions are afraid of true spiritual power and reject it.

Actually, to really develop spiritually God/Spirit/Jesus/All That Is - is known for drawing people away from the mainstream to commune on a wordless level where the Spirit dwells. If you desire to develop at a faster rate without cultural interference it's a necessity. Been There, Done That: both the hollow but nice church experience and solitary away from the crowd communing with God.

I loved this one. When I go to mass on Sundays, I often wonder why some folks are there, if the regulars like myself have the same sort of dubious misgivings that I have.

I've settled on this: I go to church for the same reasons that some people learn martial arts: for the discipline, the practice, and the outlet for my spirituality. Everyone is there for their own reasons, but I'm sure a great majority of us (we spiritual renegades) are there because we simply need some place to practice and reinforce a belief in the divine... something greater and more mysterious than our own flawed psyche.

Mind you, my relationship with the divine is, at times, very contentious.

I was raised a Catholic so I relate completely to this poem. I however no longer participate in organized religion. I will say that the photo you have used is my church. Being out in nature whether it be the ocean, the woods or gardens takes me to a higher place.